Didn't I specifically put on the first page that you are NOT to go look at the link to get the answer? That is cheating.
Yes, it is an oarfish.
Here is a much larger photo of it in color and an article to go with it:
OARFISH (regalecus glesne)
by:Mary Anne Simpson
Sometimes mistaken for a sea serpent the Oarfish has mystified skin divers, ichthyologists and quickened the heart rate of several swimmers. The fish measures between twenty and thirty feet long, and weighs upwards to four hundred pounds. Sightings of this rare fish are few and far between. The fish dwells at depths of seven hundred feet, and only comes to the surface when it is sick or injured. It appears like a pre-historic eel, measuring four feet in circumference, with large saucer like eyes and a raised, red elongated dorsal fin along the upper ridge of its spine.
According to Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientist, H.J. Walker, the fish is harmless, eating only small shrimp off the ocean floor. He tasted a cooked Oarfish and stated it tasted something like paper. Reports of a fifty- six foot serpent like fish was found on the shores of Scotland, it is believed to be an oarfish. Some have speculated that this is a link to the infamous Loch Ness Monster.*1
Navy Seals in training at San Diego, California found a twenty three foot oarfish in the bay off Coronado Island in 1996. The oarfish had washed up shore due to a probable collision with a boat propeller. In another incident, an under water cameraman on assignment in Nassau in 1997, photographed an oarfish in his own habitat. He described it as appearing silvery and reflective. Its dorsal fin ran the length of its back and undulated to propel it along. It had no caudal fin as the body tapered to a point where the tail would normally be, and its large eyes made me think that I was looking at a deep-sea creature
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